“What’s the Carrot”: Omarion Cooper Under Fire for Ditching Deion Sanders to Join FSU

Deion Sanders‘ team continues to lose players, with four-star cornerback Omarion Cooper becoming the latest to depart. In a surprising move, Cooper is returning to his former team, Florida State, after just one season with the Buffaloes under Sanders. This departure adds to the growing media scrutiny surrounding the mass exodus from the team.

Unlike his fellow cornerback recruits Cormani McClain, who left on less than amicable terms, Cooper’s exit seemed more subdued. On April 29, he posted on social media, “All faith and glory to the man above #GoNoles,” as he announced his decision to leave. Despite the seemingly peaceful departure, Cooper’s decision has not gone unnoticed. 

Breaking down Omarion Cooper’s departure from Colorado football

On the Warchant TV show, Jeff Cameron analyzed the return of Omarion “Duke” Cooper to the FSU Seminoles. Now back at FSU, Cooper fills a gap left by departing players, helping to “mitigate the move of Greedy Vance to some degree.”  Meanwhile, co-host Tom Lang added his thoughts stating, “What’s the Carrot? Why would you come back to Florida State if you could probably at lower level institution get some starting reps.” Lang noted how FSU already has several talented defensive backs like Devante Brown, Shyheim Brown, and Edwin Joseph. This raises the question of why FSU would “stunt the reps of one of those younger players” to bring Cooper in. 

“Duke comes back to a place where he understands the defense,” Cameron said stressing his familiarity with FSU’s defensive schemes which adds to his advantage.  Also, Cooper’s reunion provides “added depth” to an already strong secondary. Cameron clarified Cooper’s departure stating, “He did not leave the program in an ugly way. So there is no animosity or acrimony there.” Adding to it, Cameron noted how Deion’s “relationship was fractured” with the departing Buffs. While acknowledging that, he also put the CB under fire stating how “He did not transition well from corner to safety” during his time at FSU but “ended up taking his services over to Colorado.”

Cooper’s exit raises further doubts on Deion Sanders’ leadership

During his time with the Colorado Buffaloes, Omarion Cooper proved his talent on the field. He started eight of the nine games he played, making 37 tackles and deflecting 5 passes. Despite starting his college career at Florida State as a cornerback, he switched to safety during spring camp before transferring to Colorado. Under the guidance of legendary cornerback Deion Sanders, Cooper returned to playing cornerback for the Buffs.

While he was believed to be an asset for the Buffs, he re-entered the transfer portal and decided to return to Florida State. He’ll likely resume his role as a cornerback there, as the team recently lost its coveted CB Greedy Vance Jr. However, Cooper’s return to his former school, rather than his joining a new team, raises questions about the stability of Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes. What are your thoughts on the “mass departure” happening in the Buffs unit? Let us know in the comments below.